ABC’s of Scripture: CROWNS

CROWNS

The first century Apostles and disciples were a unique generation of people in the history of mankind. God chose that time and that place in Palestine for Jesus Christ to make His visible entrance into the world. He came as a man, born of a virgin, and personally ministered to those first century Jews.

The Pharisees, priests, and Jewish leaders of that time rejected Him and His message. They did not believe that He was the promised Messiah. Christ was crucified, dead, buried, resurrected and ascended back to heaven during that time in 30ad. He commissioned His chosen Apostles to make disciples and to teach the gospel of the New Covenant kingdom to the Jews, Samaritans (half-breeds) [racially mixed] (my adding) and to the Gentiles.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE” – Matt 28:19-20

[end of the ‘age’ meaning end of the old covenant- not end of the world or time] (my adding).

The non-believing Jews at that time hated Him. They persecuted and even killed those first century Christians because of their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. The Romans also persecuted and killed those faithful Christians. The Gospel of the New Covenant kingdom was preached and taught by those first century disciples in the synagogues and elsewhere.

Jesus told them that He would return at His second coming Parousia in THIER GENERATION. He said that they would have to suffer and be hated by all nations for their faith. Some of them would even be killed. Jesus told them that if they ENDURED UNTIL THE JEWISH AGE THEY SHALL BE SAVED.

“Then they will deliver YOU up to tribulation and Kill YOU, and YOU will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” “But he who ENDURES TO THE END shall be saved.” “Assuredly, I say to YOU, THIS GENERATION will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”-Matt 24:9-10;13;34

Christ had special CROWNS for those first century faithful Christians. these were given to them after the judgements in 70ad. Apostle Paul said that those brethren who became believers in Christ through his work as an Apostle and preacher of the gospel were his joy and CROWN. –-Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 2:19

Paul told Timothy that all those first century saints would receive the CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord would give them at His second coming Parousia in 70ad. -2 Tim 4:8

James said that the faithful who endured temptation in the first century would receive a CROWN of life. – James 1:12

Peter said that those first century faithful saints would receive the CROWN of Glory when Christ returned at His second coming Parousia. -1 Pet 5:4.

John wrote that those first century saints would be thrown into prison and have tribulation, but if THEY were faithful until death, THEY would receive a CROWN of life. -Rev 2:10

Their salvation was not yet consummated, but it would be when He returned. Jesus promised the first century church that He was coming quickly [in THEIR GENERATOIN] (my adding) if they held fast to their faith, no persecutor could take away their CROWN.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what YOU have, that no one may take your CROWN. – Rev 3:11

We Christians, who live after the Christ’s second coming in 70ad, all have received eternal life. Our salvation had been fully consummated unlike those transitioning saints, who had to wait for the consummation of their salvation. We do not serve Christ to receive a CROWN, but we serve Him in His New Covenant spiritual kingdom soley for His Glory.

-Michael Alan Nichols

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Okay, so this is one of those times I’m going to point out “duel meaning” of the scriptures: LOGOS, (written word) and the RHEMA (the word come to life). When I say Rhema, I usually mean a personal word from God, not just reiterating the written word. This is a moment in a person’s life that God literally speaks to them through His word bringing it to LIFE- by making it a personal word to them and for them. We know the word has its context, history and audience relevance- but it also has a personal BOOM moment for all of us, or at least it should if one is to seek a personal relationship with ABBA!

With that all said, I want to share a Rhema- personal vision that God gave me and also my youngest daughter when she was only 4 years old. The innocence of a child that simply relies on and trusts Jesus is the MOST BEAUTIFUL things I’ve ever experienced and is most precious to God. ❀

Testimony: at a time, I was grieving the loss of my mother many years after losing her I prayed to God to show me her in a dream for I was missing her so dearly. That night I dreamt of her wearing a crown with some beautiful gems on it; she then took it off and held it as she gazed upon it. I then asked, “mother what are you doing?” She then bowed down and held it up as to be handing off to someone else. I then looked closer and saw the very Glory of Jesus in purity and love standing before her. She was handing over her CROWN OF LIFE to Jesus! That very (dream moment) I had so much peace and awe and thankfulness and was full of that complete, content, peace beyond understanding that God answered my prayer.

More testimony of our all-awesome God. The next morning as we were at church my 4-year-old daughter came out of the washroom wearing a crown that they made in Sunday school and she said to me, “look mommy a crown, like that lady was wearing, you know mommy, you were there!” ❀

*Just a background note: I hadn’t shared my dream/vision with anyone yet, nor had my daughter ever met my mother for she had died 7 years prior to this day. My daughter and I shared this dream/vision! God used my baby girl to confirm that this wasn’t just my imagination and a very good dream, but this was HIM answering my prayer! And this my dear friends is what you will receive when YOU BELIVE, LOVE AND TRUST YOUR CROWN OF LIFE! RHEMA WORD IS CROWNWORTHY!

All my SEEK THE CROWN GIVER, NOT THE CROWN- LOVE ❀ Diana xo πŸ™‚

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